Lack of basic safety measures in Myanmar malls sparks concern

YANGON — As Myanmar’s economy opens up, shopping malls have sprung up in the commercial capital of Yangon.

Since 2012, plush shopping malls — aimed at foreigners and the rising middle class — have spread beyond downtown into other areas of the city. Yet many still lack the basic safety measures to handle fires and other accidents, posing a danger to mall-goers, shopkeepers and investors.

Experts say shopping malls need to be better prepared in case a fire breaks out, especially as they are at times cramped with families, tourists and local residents. Effective solutions are important not only for saving lives, but they are also vital in minimising damage to shops and goods, therefore reducing the risk for owners and investors.

On Jan 27, the Junction City Tower development site caught fire. The site was in construction for a multi-purpose complex comprising a five-storey shopping centre, office buildings and a hotel on Bogyoke Aung San Road.

A fire engulfed more than 1,600 shops in Mingalar Market on Jan 9 last year. On Nov 17, 2015, a fire broke out on the 22nd floor of the 34-storey Diamond Inya building after a searchlight fell and ignited plywood and timber.

Five days later, yet another blaze engulfed the YKKO Kyay-Oh shop located on the top floor of the Junction Centre between Kyun Taw Road and Pyay Road.

While there were no casualties in any of these accidents, they have sparked concern among investors, shop managers and consumers. Those thinking of launching their businesses at the malls are having second thoughts, and rightly so.

DANGER OF SHORT CIRCUITS

As high-voltage cables are used to power air-conditioners, lifts, escalators and other electrical equipment, fire safety is a crucial concern when building a shopping complex, said Mr Myat Min Thant, an officer who is responsible for safety in the government buildings.

Shopping malls use high-voltage cables to power air-conditioners, lifts and escalators, he said.

“Those high-voltage cables can short-circuit, which can lead to a fire,” he explained.

The system of electric components and equipment in a plaza should be carefully installed only after consultation with electrical engineers, he said, and only high-quality high-voltage cables should be used. “I would suggest hiring qualified electrical engineers for electrical maintenance purposes,” Mr Min Thant said. According to Mr Yan Aung, general manager of Asia Construction, the walls of shopping malls should be made of glass rather than bricks so people can break them and escape in the event of an emergency. There should also be a ready supply of fire extinguishers.

Mr Min Thant added that mall planners should ensure enough entrances and exits, as well as signboards in English and in the Myanmar language.

This applies particularly to malls with cinemas. “If the shoppers rush out en masse, there could be problems at the exits, and they will be stuck in a crisis,” the safety officer warned. He pointed out that the new malls have a lot of restaurants and food courts, which are more prone to fire accidents.

“For new centres, there should be at least two emergency exits on each floor, depending on the size of the building. Signboards with lighting must be used so that they can be easily seen in the dark,” he continued.

“There should be more exits on the floors with restaurants. And these exits should not be treated as an ornament; they must be left clear so that they can be used smoothly at any time.”

Security guards also need to be better trained to know where the fire extinguishers are, how to direct people to the exits, and what else to do in an emergency.

Finally, Mr Min Thant said that mall-goers should be taught fire safety.

Ms Kaythi May, owner of a women’s fashion shop at Taw Win Centre, said that currently, fire extinguishers are few and far between. “Most (malls) are still weak in providing clear directions to emergency exits,” she said.

Shopping-mall developers did not respond to questions from the Myanmar Times on their fire safety preparations.

An official from Western District Fire Department, on the condition of anonymity, told The Myanmar Times that the fire department conducts fire safety checks once every six months at shopping centres under the authority of the Yangon City Development Committee area. THE MYANMAR TIMES